A Happy Birthday Camping Adventure!

September 8 is the birthday of the darling young woman who first made me a deliriously happy grandma, my granddaughter Elizabeth Balter.  (That's Lizzy on the left in the photo above.) From the day she was born, I could not wait to take her camping and introduce her to the wonders of nature, and when she was five, I did take her camping on an island in the Hudson River. This year, my now-grown-up Lizzy told me she wanted to do that again, to wake up on her birthday surrounded by nature on the banks of the Hudson River, this time with her dear wife, Amanda Nee. Could I help make that happen? Yes, I sure could! Here are a few photos of the happy pair and their lovable dog Goose, after I helped them find their campsite and we paddled a bit together on this gorgeous stretch of the Hudson River, where forested mountains fall straight down to the water's edge and lovely little islands dot the river. 

 Their wooded campsite is accessible only from the water and surrounded by miles of wild forest. A small tumbling creek borders the site and in rainier summers adds its constant music to the pleasures of camping here.  Since this land is within the boundaries of Moreau Lake State Park, Lizzy had to reserve this campsite and obtain a permit from the park to leave her car in the parking lot of the launch site where she and Amanda took off to cross the river to their camp. Designated as a "primitive campsite," the only amenity here is a fire ring and some flat cleared land on which to pitch a tent.

After arranging their camp, Lizzy and Amanda set off to explore this section of the Hudson River.  Their "very good dog" Goose behaved himself perfectly, sitting quietly between his two mamas, enjoying the  adventure in his own doggy way, without threatening to upset the canoe.

Along this stretch of the Hudson between the Spier Falls and Sherman Island dams, the river's current is slowed, and thickly forested mountains fall directly to the water's edge. Both banks of the river here are now part of Moreau Lake State Park.  With no private homes or boathouses lining the banks, the area looks about the same as it must have before Europeans arrived on this continent.  (Of course, neither dam existed then to widen the river, but the mountains most likely appeared much the same.)

I escorted the pair past my favorite little island, where I have often picnicked and swum from its rocky shore.  Such tiny islands are home to the many beautiful native shrubs and wildflowers that first intrigued me more than 30 years ago, inspiring me to learn their names, and eventually, the names of all wildflowers I encountered, wherever I encountered them.

As I left Lizzy and Amanda to their camping adventures, I urged the two to paddle close to the riverbanks, so lovely now with wildflowers like these tiny white asters and the yellow-bloomed Sneezeweed leaning over the water.

This time of year, the riverbanks are especially gorgeous, since one of our most beautiful native wildflowers, Closed Gentians, are thriving there in great abundance.

Silky Dogwood shrubs also added to the beauty of the banks,  their branches heavy with clusters of royal-blue fruits.

So Happy Birthday, dear Lizzy!  I hope this adventure turned out to be as amazing as the one you remembered from all those years ago.  Your Grandma is absolutely delighted that you asked me to help you to make it happen this week.  Just as she was when you were a wee little girl of five years old!